Information processing apparatus and system, method of controlling same, peripheral apparatus and printer driver

Abstract

Disclosed is an information processing system in which a host computer and a printer are connected so as to be capable of communicating in both directions. Model-specific information, which is information relating to number of tones of image data handled by the printer, is stored in the printer in advance. Stored model-specific parameters and a control command are transmitted to the host computer in response to a command from the host computer. The host computer uses the model-specific parameters of the printer and the control command to process image data that is output to the printer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to an information processing apparatus serving as a high-order (host) apparatus connected to a low-order (peripheral) apparatus so as to be capable of communicating in both directions, to a system and method of controlling the same, to a peripheral apparatus serving as the low-order apparatus, and to a device driver. Here the high-order apparatus includes, e.g., a host computer, a home information appliance such as a household television, a so-called set-top-box information terminal capable of being connected to a public network such as the Internet, or a game machine, and is capable of bidirectional communication via interface means with an input / output device such as a printer or scanner serving as the low-order apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In a well-known system, a high-order apparatus such as a host computer and a low-order apparatus such as a scanner or printer are connected via a network or the like, and image da...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, system, method of controlling the same, peripheral device and printer driver through which image data of different numbers of tones can be processed without changing the control program of a high-order apparatus or by using a control program of one type.

[0015]Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, system, method of controlling the same, peripheral device and printer driver which prevent malfunction of a peripheral apparatus due to incompatibility between a control program installed in the high-order apparatus to control the peripheral device and, if the tone capability of the peripheral device is improved, the control program of this peripheral device.

Problems solved by technology

This is a troublesome operation for the user.

However, the prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned publications cannot cope with a situation in which a new-model printer not anticipated by the host has been connected to the host.

However, this requires that a plurality of printer drivers be stored in the high-order apparatus, as a result of which a very large memory capacity is needed to store the drivers.

In addition, as in the case described above, the disclosed arrangement cannot cope with a new-model printer not originally anticipated and a new printer command cannot be added on.

According to this invention, however, the selection of the printer is made in response to an indication from the user, and therefore a malfunction will occur if the user selects the incorrect printer.

Further, in the case of an external device that involves difficulty regarding the designation of a selection from the user, as in the manner of a set-top-box information terminal that is one type of home information appliance, selection of a printer will not be possible.

In addition, in a case where a control program has been created without limitation, e.g., in a case where the area of a working RAM in an external device has been exceeded, a situation may arise in which control cannot be carried out by the external device.

With a printer in which no limitation is placed upon the type of high-order apparatus, there are many cases where limitations on the useable area of a working RAM and other restrictions are imposed depending upon the type of high-order apparatus.

If this storage area is exceeded, normal operation cannot be carried out.

Further, in a case where part of a control program is stored in a printer, problems arise in terms of compatibility between this program and a control program that has been stored in the high-order apparatus.

Further, in the case of a game machine, which is not equipped with a large-capacity rewritable memory device such as a hard disk or flash memory, thereby requiring that the host control program inclusive of a scanner driver or printer driver be stored in read-only memory means such as a ROM, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, the conventional high-order apparatus is such that the version of driver corresponding to a low-order apparatus of a new model cannot be upgraded and it is not possible to deal with a low-order apparatus of another model type.

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